Overview of the rules of the road

Right turns

Both the approach and the turn must be made as closely as you
can to the right hand curb or shoulder. Long trailers or vehicles
which can't stay in one lane while making a turn can deviate but
must be careful about other traffic.

Left turns

Approach and complete the turn in the farthest left lane available
to traffic moving in your direction. Usually this will be the lane
just to the right of the center line. Turning from or into a one way
street the appropriate lane may be the one next to the curb unless
it's obstructed or restricted.

Roundabouts

Follow the same rules provided above. However, semi trailers and other long vehicles generally can’t stay in one lane at
roundabouts. All drivers should avoid driving next to or passing trucks while approaching and maneuvering through a roundabout. Even the straight through movement requires some turning, a truck may cross into other lanes.

Turn signal use

State law requires the use of turn signals when changing lanes or making a turn. A turn signal is not required at the approach/entry to a roundabout. The only time a signal should be used is when you are about to exit from a roundabout. Use your right turn signal for this maneuver. If you need to change lanes prior to entering the roundabout to be in the correct lane for your exit, make sure to use your turn signal before the lane change.

In all cases in which state or local authorities have marked the
pavement or erected signs indicating that vehicles in your lane may
or must follow a particular direction then these are the directions to follow.

Usually you are required to drive on the right hand side of a
two-lane street or highway. One of the occasions during which it is legal to
drive on the left side of a two-lane road or highway is when you are
legally passing another vehicle.

When you pass on a two lane road you must leave the right lane
early enough and remain in the left lane long enough to pass without
interfering with the other vehicle. It's your responsibility when
passing to make sure it's safe. It is the other driver's
responsibility to give way and let you pass without speeding up. Of
course you cannot pass in a no passing zone designated by signs or a
solid yellow line on the pavement on your side of the center line.

Take extra care when passing bicycles. They must be given at least three feet of clearance.

It is legal to pass a bus stopped on the road, taking on or
letting off passengers unless it's a school bus. But it is not legal
to turn right in the intersection directly in front of the bus. If
you need to turn right, wait behind the bus until it moves away.

You may not pass another vehicle within 100 feet of railroad
tracks, a tunnel or an intersection, unless there are two or more
lanes of traffic in your direction.

At many intersections, passage is controlled by some kind of
traffic control device, a light or sign. But where it isn't,
vehicles which approach the intersection at about the same time have
similar rights. So who goes first?

If the cars approach at right angles to each other, the vehicle
on the right has the right of way and the one to the left must wait.

If two vehicles approach an intersection from opposite directions
and one wants to turn left across the other's path, the turning
vehicle must wait until the other has passed.

If one road terminates at an intersection and the other goes
through, as in a "T" intersection, vehicles on the through
section have right of way over those on the road which terminates.

In all cases, when it's your turn, proceed cautiously. Make eye
contact with other drivers if you can. Never challenge another
driver for the right of way, but when it's your turn, don't hesitate
to proceed if the way is clear.

When an emergency vehicle approaches with its siren on you must
yield the right of way as quickly as possible. As soon as you see or
hear the approaching emergency vehicle you must pull to the right
and stop your vehicle.

You should position your vehicle as if parking, next to the curb,
if there is one, or as far to the right as is safe if there isn't a
curb,
but don't block an intersection. If you have not entered a roundabout, pull over and allow emergency vehicles to pass. If you have entered a roundabout, continue to your exit, then pull over and allow emergency vehicles to pass.
Remain in that position until the
emergency vehicle is well past you.

Don't "zoom out" right after the emergency vehicle has
passed. There will be other vehicles in the road, those previously
passed by the emergency vehicle, and you'll have to pay attention
and be careful to merge with these vehicles.

Since 2001, Wisconsin requires motorists to
shift lanes, where possible, to give stopped emergency vehicles or
tow trucks a safe zone in which to work.

Under this law, when approaching an authorized emergency
vehicle or tow truck stopped within 12 feet of the pavement and
which has its emergency lights operating, you should shift lanes, if
possible, leaving the lane next to the emergency vehicle open. If
shifting lanes is unsafe, motorists are required to slow until they
are past the emergency vehicle.

In Wisconsin, motorists must give way to livestock. While the
person in charge of the animals has the responsibility to "use
reasonable care and diligence" to keep the road open, the
livestock does have the right of way while crossing a road and you
must stop.

It's also the law that if someone is riding or leading a
frightened animal and gives you a signal of distress, you must stop
until the animal is under control.

These restrictions probably come from an earlier time when horses
and other livestock were more prevalent and automobiles were less
so. But you may still encounter these situations today. And it is
still the law.

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